Float frame assembly

ABSTRACT

A float frame assembly that gives the appearance that the item retained within the frame appears to be floating therein. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises: a frame comprising a rabbet and an inner edge defining a display opening; a channel formed in a rear surface of the main body; a stack nesting in the rabbet comprising: a front glazing; a rear glazing positioned adjacent the front glazing; and a perimetric spacer positioned adjacent the rear glazing; a plurality of spring clips that retain the stack within the rabbet, each of the plurality of spring clips comprising a first portion disposed in the channel and a second portion that is in surface contact with the perimetric spacer, each of the plurality of spring clips biased so that the second portion applies a compression force against the perimetric spacer and the first portion is retained in the channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/540,297, filed Sep. 28, 2011, the entirety ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to frames, and specifically tofloat frame assemblies comprising spring clips that retain an itemwithin the frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People often enjoy commemorating their achievements or memorializing aparticular life event by framing a diploma or a photograph. Furthermore,people typically display these framed items on the wall in their homes.People also frame certain types of memorabilia in order to display thememorabilia and protect it against damage that may occur over time as aresult of the memorabilia being exposed to the ambient environment.There are many different types of frames that currently exist for thepurpose of displaying the item retained within the frame and protectingthe item against damage. Frames come in a wide variety of sizes, colors,textures and finishes. Furthermore, frames can be used with matting thatsurrounds a smaller photo or item to enhance the aesthetics of theframed photo or item.

One problem with existing frames is that they are only capable ofretaining items of a single thickness. In other words, a single framewill not be capable of retaining a thin photograph and a thick articleof clothing, such as a signed athletic jersey. Thus, a need exists for aframe that is cost-efficient to manufacture and is capable of retaininga wide variety of items therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention can be a float frame assemblycomprising: a frame comprising a body portion and a flange portionextending from the body portion to form a rabbet, the flange portioncomprising an inner edge defining a display opening, the flange portioncomprising a floor surface of the rabbet and the body portion comprisinga wall surface of the rabbet; a channel formed in a rear surface of thebody portion; a stack nesting in the rabbet, the stack comprising: afront glazing; a rear glazing positioned adjacent the front glazing suchthat an item can be supported between the front glazing and the rearglazing in the display opening; and a perimetric spacer positionedadjacent the rear glazing; a plurality of spring clips that retain thestack within the rabbet, each of the plurality of spring clipscomprising a first portion disposed in the channel and a second portionthat is in surface contact with the perimetric spacer, each of theplurality of spring clips biased so that the second portion applies acompression force against the perimetric spacer and the first portion isretained in the channel.

In another embodiment, the invention can be a float frame assemblycomprising: a frame comprising a body portion and a flange portionextending from the body portion to form a rabbet, the flange portioncomprising an inner edge defining a display opening, the flange portioncomprising a floor surface of the rabbet and the body portion comprisinga wall surface of the rabbet; a channel formed in a rear surface of themain body; a stack nesting in the rabbet, the stack comprising: a frontglazing; a rear glazing positioned adjacent the front glazing such thatan item can be supported between the front glazing and the rear glazingin the display opening; and a perimetric spacer positioned adjacent therear glazing; a plurality of spring clips that retain the stack withinthe rabbet, each of the plurality of spring clips comprising a firstportion disposed in the channel and a second portion that is in surfacecontact with the perimetric spacer, each of the plurality of springclips biased so that the second portion applies a compression forceagainst the perimetric spacer and the first portion is retained in thechannel.

In yet another embodiment, the invention can be a float frame assemblycomprising: a frame comprising a rabbet and an inner edge defining adisplay opening; a channel formed in a rear surface of the main body; astack nesting in the rabbet, the stack comprising: a front glazing; arear glazing positioned adjacent the front glazing such that an item canbe supported between the front glazing and the rear glazing in thedisplay opening; and a perimetric spacer positioned adjacent the rearglazing; a plurality of spring clips that retain the stack within therabbet, each of the plurality of spring clips comprising a first portiondisposed in the channel and a second portion that is in surface contactwith the perimetric spacer, each of the plurality of spring clips biasedso that the second portion applies a compression force against theperimetric spacer and the first portion is retained in the channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in detail below with respect tothe drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a float frame assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the float frame assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the float frame assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the section of the float frame assemblyof FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a clip in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the clip of FIG. 6 with dimensions provided ininches;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the clip of FIG. 6 with dimensions provided ininches according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a frame in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention wherein the clip of FIG. 6 isused to hold the frame components together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,”“down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g.,“horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated assuch. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,”“interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structuresare secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectlythrough intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigidattachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.Further, the term “overlayed” and “overlying” refer to a relationship inwhich one layer is applied over another layer and/or structure, eitherdirectly or through the presence of intervening layers and/orstructures. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention areillustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly,the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplaryembodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination offeatures that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; thescope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 concurrently, a float frame assembly 1000 will bedescribed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Thefloat frame assembly 1000 of the present invention is able to retain anitem therein in a manner such that the retained item appears to floatwithin a display opening 110 of the float frame assembly 1000. The floatframe assembly 1000 generally comprises a frame 100, a stack 130 and aplurality of spring clips 150. As will be discussed in detail below, therelative positioning of the stack 130 and the spring clips 150 on theframe 10 facilitates retention of an item by the float frame assembly1000.

The frame 100 generally comprises a body portion 101 and a flangeportion 102 extending from the body portion 101. The body portion 101 ofthe frame 100 has an inner surface 105, an outer surface 106 a frontsurface 107 and a rear surface 108. The flange portion 102 comprises afront surface 109, a rear surface 104 and an inner surface or inner edge111. The extension of the flange portion 102 from the body portion 101forms a rabbet 103. Specifically, the rabbet 103 is defined by the rearsurface 104 of the flange portion 102, which forms the floor surface ofthe rabbet 103, and the inner surface 105 of the body portion 101, whichforms a wall surface of the rabbet 103. The rear surface 108 of the bodyportion 101 of the frame 100 is substantially parallel to the floorsurface of the rabbet 103 (i.e., the rear surface 104 of the flangeportion 102 of the frame 100). Furthermore, the floor surface of therabbet 103 is recessed relative to the rear surface 108 of the bodyportion 101 of the frame 100. The rabbet 103 is the location on theframe 100 where the stack 130 is positioned when the float frameassembly 1000 is fully assembled.

The inner edge 111 of the flange portion 102 of the frame 100 definesthe display opening 110. The display opening 110 is the portion of theframe 100 through which the displayed item can be viewed. In theexemplified embodiment, the display opening 110 is a rectangular shapedopening. However, the invention is not to be so limited in allembodiments and the shape of the display opening 110 can be changed asdesired.

The combination of the front surface 107 of the body portion 101 and thefront surface 109 of the flange portion 102 forms the surface of theframe 100 that is visible to a user when the float frame assembly 1000is hanging from a wall or other surface. The rear surface 108 of thebody portion 101, or a portion thereof as will be discussed in moredetail below, abuts against the wall or other surface when the floatframe assembly 1000 is made to hang therefrom.

In the exemplified embodiment, the frame 100 is a rectangular shapedframe for retaining an item therein. Of course, the invention is not tobe limited by the shape of the frame 100 in all embodiments and theframe 100 can take on other polygonal shapes. In certain embodiments,the frame 100 can be formed as a single piece of material. In otherembodiments the frame 100 can be formed of three or more, depending onthe shape of the frame 100, pieces of material that are attached duringa later step in the manufacturing process such as by adhesive, welding,molding or the like. In certain embodiments, the frame 100 is formed viaa polystyrene extrusion process. Of course, the invention is not to beso limited and in certain other embodiments the frame 100 can be formedof a plastic material such as by injection molding. Alternatively, theframe may be formed out of wood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), metalor the like. The material(s) that form the frame 100 and the process bywhich the frame 100 is formed is in no way limiting of the presentinvention unless so specified in the claims.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 concurrently, additional components of thefloat frame assembly 1000 will be described. The stack 130 noted abovecomprises a front glazing 131, a rear glazing 132 and a perimetricspacer 133. In the exemplified embodiment, the perimetric spacer 133 isa non-segmented component having a shape that corresponds to the shapeof the flange portion 102 of the frame 100. However, the invention isnot to be so limited in all embodiments and in certain other embodimentsthe perimetric spacer 133 can be segmented. For example, the perimetricspacer 133 can include a plurality of spacer components that arepositioned in a spaced apart manner within the rabbet 103. Theperimetric spacer 133 can be formed in a similar manner to the formationof the frame 100 described above by utilizing a polystyrene extrusionprocess. Of course, in other embodiments the perimetric spacer 133 canbe formed of metal, wood, MDF, plastic or the like. The invention is notto be limited by the materials or process used to form the perimetricspacer 133 unless so specified in the claims.

The front and rear glazings 131, 132 can be any type of glazing as isused for framing items. In certain embodiments, the front and rearglazings 131, 132 are formed of a material such as glass, acrylic,plexiglass, polystyrene or the like. However, in certain otherembodiments the front and rear glazings 131, 132 are different such thatthe front glazing 131 can be formed of an inflexible material, such asglass, and the rear glazing 103 can be formed of a flexible or resilientmaterial, such as plexiglass or polystyrene sheets. In still otherembodiments, the front glazing 131 can be formed of a flexible materialand the rear glazing 132 can be formed of an inflexible material. Incertain embodiments, the thickness of the front and rear glazings 131,132 is approximately between 1-3 mm, and more preferably between 1-2 mm.Of course, in certain other embodiments thicknesses outside of the aboveranges can be used.

A certain degree of flexibility is desirable in at least one of thefront and rear glazings 131, 132 so that the frame 100 can accommodateitems of varying thickness. The item 112 to be framed is positioned inbetween the front and rear glazings 131, 132. Thus, if the framed item112 has a large thickness, it is desirable that at least one of thefront and rear glazings 131, 132 can flex to accommodate the item whilethe spring clips 150 retain the perimetric spacer 133 in pressurecontact with the front and rear glazings 131, 132.

Alternatively, the frame 100 can still accommodate items of largerthickness even if neither of the glazings 131, 132 is formed of aflexible material. In such an embodiment (and even in embodiments whereat least one of the glazings 131, 132 is flexible), as larger thicknessitems are positioned between the front and rear glazings 131, 132, thefront and rear glazings 131, 132 will separate from one another creatinga gap therebetween. As the front and rear glazings 131, 132 separatefrom one another, the perimetric spacer 133 will translate in a seconddirection that is substantially normal to the rear surface 108 of thebody portion 101 and illustrated by the arrow B. However, the perimetricspacer 133 will maintain contact with and pressure against the rearglazing 131 by virtue of the spring clip 150 applying pressure againstthe rear surface 139 of the perimetric spacer 133 in the first directionshown by the arrow A.

Thus, the spring clip 150 is able to flex/move in order to accommodateitems or media of various thicknesses that are desired to be framed bythe float frame assembly 1000. If an item of greater thickness ispositioned in between the front and rear glazings 131, 132, the springclip 150 will flex in the direction of the arrow B so that the rearglazing 132 can space itself from the front glazing 131 in order toaccommodate the greater thickness item. The biasing nature of the springclip 150 facilitates the accommodation of items of varying thicknesswithin the float frame assembly 1000. In certain embodiments, the itemis retained between the front and rear glazings 131, 132 without the useof adhesives. In such embodiments, it is solely the biasing affect ofthe spring clips 150 that results in the frame 100 retaining the itemsof varying thickness in between the front and rear glazings 131, 132 soas to be viewed through the display opening 110. Of course, in certainother embodiments adhesives can be used to affix the item in between thefront and rear glazings 131, 132.

In certain embodiments, each of the front and rear glazings 131, 132 isa see-through or transparent material. Alternatively, at least theportion of the front glazing 131 that is visible through the displayopening 110 is formed of a transparent or see-through material so thatthe item 112 can be viewed through the front glazing 131. Furthermore,the rear glazing 132 does not need to be see-through or transparent inall embodiments. However, the front glazing 131 is positioned within thefloat frame assembly 1000 such that a person viewing into the displayopening 110 of the float frame assembly 100 from the front surface 107,109 of the frame 100 will see the front glazing 131 first. As will bebetter understood from the description below, an item 112 that is framedwithin the float frame assembly 1000 is supported in between the frontglazing 131 and the rear glazing 132. Therefore, the front glazing 131should be transparent, translucent or otherwise see-through so that theitem 112, which is behind the front glazing 131 from the viewing path ofa person, is visible. Although described herein as being transparent, itshould be understood that the front glazing 131 can be a color otherthan clear so long as a person can see through the front glazing 131 inorder to view the item 112.

Thus, as noted above the front glazing 131 is positioned within therabbet 103 so that a front surface 134 of the front glazing 131 isadjacent to and abuts against the rear surface 104 of the flange portion102 of the frame 100. In the exemplified embodiment, a space existsbetween the inner surface 105 of the body portion 101 of the frame 100and the front glazing 131. However, the invention is not to be solimited and in other embodiments the front glazing 131 can be in contactwith the inner surface 105 of the body portion 101 of the frame. Itshould be appreciated that although certain layers of the stack 130 aredescribed herein as being adjacent to another layer or portion of theframe 100, that there could be intervening layers in between thosestructures. Thus, although the front glazing 131 is described as beingadjacent to the rear surface 104 of the flange portion 102 of the frame100, in certain embodiments there may be another layer in between thefront glazing 131 and the frame 100. Therefore, two layers that areadjacent are not necessarily in surface contact with one another unlessspecifically described and claimed as such.

The rear glazing 132 is positioned within the rabbet 103 so as to beadjacent to the front glazing 131 so that the item 112 can be supportedbetween the front glazing 131 and the rear glazing 132 in the displayopening 110. Thus, a front surface 136 of the rear glazing 132 isadjacent to and abuts against a rear surface 135 of the front glazing131 (although the item 112 may be in between the front surface 136 ofthe rear glazing 132 and the rear surface 135 of the front glazing 131,as illustrated in FIG. 4). In the exemplified embodiment, the front andrear glazings 131, 132 have the same size and shape. However, theinvention is not to be so limited and in certain other embodiments therear glazing 132 can have dimensions that are smaller or larger than thedimensions (i.e., width and length) of the front glazing 131.Furthermore, although the front and rear glazings 131, 132 areillustrated having the same thickness, the front and rear glazings 131,132 can each have different thicknesses in certain other embodiments.

The perimetric spacer 133 is positioned within the rabbet 103 so as tobe adjacent to the rear glazing 132. More specifically, the perimetricspacer 133 has a front surface 138, a rear surface 139, an inner surfaceor inner edge 143 and an outer surface or outer edge 144. In theexemplified embodiment, each of the front and rear surfaces 138, 139 ofthe perimetric spacer 133 is substantially planar. When positionedwithin the rabbet 103 adjacent to and abutting against the rear glazing132, the inner surface 143 of the perimetric spacer 133 does not extendbeyond the inner edge 111 of the flange portion 102 of the frame 102.Thus, the inner surface 143 of the perimetric spacer 133 is offset fromthe inner surface 105 of the body portion 101 of the frame 100. Thisensures that the perimetric spacer 133 is not visible to a user viewingthe display opening 110 of the frame 100 because the flange portion 102blocks the perimetric spacer 133 from view. Furthermore, the outersurface 144 of the perimetric spacer 133 is spaced from the innersurface 105 of the body portion 101 of the frame 100. Of course, theinvention is not to be so limited and in certain other embodiments theouter surface 144 of the perimetric spacer 133 can be in surface contactwith the inner surface 105 of the body portion 101 of the frame 100.

The front surface 138 of the perimetric spacer 133 abuts against aperimetric portion 140 of the rear surface 137 of the rear glazing 132.The perimetric spacer 133 has a shape that corresponds to the shape ofthe flange portion 102 of the frame 100. However, the perimetric spacer133 has a width W_(S) that is less than the width of the flange portion102 measured from the inner surface 105 of the body portion 101 to theinner surface 111 of the flange portion 102. The perimetric spacer 133has a body portion that defines a central opening 142 therethrough (FIG.3). The perimetric spacer 133 only extends along the perimeter portion140 of the rear surface 137 of the rear glazing 132 so that the springclips 150 can apply a compression force against the perimetric spacer133, which in turn is forced against the rear glazing 132, which in turnis forced against the front glazing 131, which in turn is forced againstthe rear surface 104 of the flange portion 102 of the frame 100. Becausethe perimetric spacer 133 extends along the entire perimeter of the rearglazing 132 (either as a single continuous piece, or as a plurality ofsegmented and separated pieces), the combination of the spring clips150, the perimetric spacer 133 and the front and rear glazings 131, 132ensures that an item positioned in between the front and rear glazings131, 132 is maintained therein.

As noted above, the perimetric spacer 133 has a width W_(S) thatprovides a large clamping area between the perimetric spacer 133 and thefront and rear glazings 131, 132. The perimetric spacer 133 also has aheight H_(S), such that the width W_(S) of the perimetric spacer 133 isgreater than the height H_(S) of the perimetric spacer 133. Providing awide perimetric spacer 133 increases the area of surface contact betweenthe perimetric spacer 133 and the front and rear glazings 131, 132. Thisenables the frame 100 to retain both large and small items (in terms ofthickness). Thus, as thicker items are retained in the frame 100, thefront and rear glazings 131, 132 may slide horizontally along the flangeportion 102 of the frame 100 towards the display opening 110. However,due to the relatively large width W_(S) of the perimetric spacer 133,the front and rear glazings 131, 132 will remain clamped between theperimetric spacer 133 and the flange portion 102 of the frame 100despite a small amount of horizontal movement. In certain embodiments,the width W_(S) of the perimetric spacer 133 is between 0.1-2 inches. Inother embodiments, the width W_(S) of the perimetric spacer 133 isbetween 0.1-0.5 inches, and in still other embodiments the width W_(S)of the perimetric spacer 133 is between 0.25-0.4 inches. Of course,widths outside of the above-noted ranges can be used for the width W_(S)of the perimetric spacer 133, and in certain embodiments the width W_(S)can be greater than one inch.

An example of the item 112 framed within the float frame assembly 1000is provided in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the exemplified embodiment, the item112 is a poster or photograph. However, the invention is not to be solimited and the item 112 contained within the frame 100 can be a poster,print, photograph, puzzle, diploma, medal, sports jersey, memorabilia orany other type of item that is desired to be displayed within and/orprotected by the frame 100. The frame 100 forms a border around the item112 that is contained within the frame 100. Thus, it is desirable toform the frame 100, and more specifically at least the front surface 107of the body portion 101 and the front surface 109 of the flange portion102 with a design and/or color (i.e., wood grain) for aesthetic appeal.It should be understood that the invention is not to be limited by theshape, color or profile appearance of the frame 100 in all embodiments.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 concurrently, the float frame assembly1000 will be further described. A channel 180 is formed into the rearsurface 108 of the body portion 101 of the frame 100. The channel has aninner wall 181 and an outer wall 182. In the exemplified embodiment, thechannel 180 is a continuous channel that extends along the entirety ofthe rear surface 108 of the body portion 101 of the frame 100. However,the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and in certainother embodiments the channel 180 can be a segmented or non-continuouschannel that extends in a discontinuous manner along the rear surface108 of the body portion 101 of the frame 100. The channel 180facilitates retaining the spring clips 180 within the frame 100 as willbe discussed in more detail below.

The frame 100 comprises a rim 170 that protrudes from the rear surface108 of the body portion 101. The rim 170 surrounds the channel 180 andhas an outer surface 171 that is substantially flush with the outersurface 106 of the body portion 101 of the frame 100. The rim 170 has aheight H_(R) measured from the rear surface 108 of the body portion 101of the frame 100 to a rear surface 172 of the rim 170. The height H_(R)of the rim 170 is greater than the distance that the spring clips 150extend from the rear surface 108 of the body portion 101 of the frame100. Thus, when the float frame assembly 1000 is hung on a wall, the rim170 contacts the wall and the spring clips 150 are prevented fromcontact with the wall. This structural arrangement prevents the springclips 150 from being disengaged from the frame 100 during hanging of thefloat frame assembly 1000 onto a wall or other surface for display.

As discussed above, a plurality of the spring clips 150 are used toretain the stack 130 including the front glazing 131, the rear glazing132, the perimetric spacer 133, and the item 112 within the rabbet 103.The number of spring clips 150 is dependent on the size of the frame100. Thus, if the frame is, for example, an 11×14 frame, there will befewer spring clips 150 than if the frame is, for example, a 24×36 frame.The spring clips 150 are separate components from the frame 100 and arenot permanently affixed to the frame 100. Rather, the spring clips 150can be completely separated from the frame 100 by a user simply grabbingthe spring clips 150 and pulling them away from the frame 100. Thus, auser can determine the number of spring clips 150 that are desirable fora particular use. FIG. 2 illustrates the spring clips 150 positioned onthe frame 100 in a spaced apart manner on all four sides of the frame100. The spring clips 150 can be positioned closer together or furtherapart than illustrated depending on the thickness of the item 112 beingframed and as desired. The exact number of spring clips 150 used on theframe 100 is not limiting of the present invention. Furthermore, thespring clips 150 comprise a through-hole 158.

In the exemplified embodiment, the spring clips 150 are formed of metal.However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. Thespring clips 150 can be formed of plastic or any other material as longas the spring clips 150 have a bias so that the spring clips 150compress downwardly onto the perimetric spacer 133 when the spring clips150 are attached to the frame 100 within the channel 180 as will bediscussed in more detail below.

Each of the plurality of spring clips 150 comprises a first portion 151that is disposed within the channel 180, a second portion 152 that is insurface contact with the rear surface 139 of the perimetric spacer 133,and a middle portion 153 extending between the first and second portions151, 152. The spring clips 150 are biased as will be discussed in moredetail below so that the second portion 152 of the spring clips 150applies a compression force against the perimetric spacer 133 and thefirst portion 151 of the spring clips 150 is retained within the channel180. Thus, the biasing effect of the spring clips 150 forces the secondportion 152 of the spring clips 150 to maintain the stack 130 in itsdesired position so that the item 112 remains viewable through thedisplay opening 110.

For each of the plurality of spring clips 150, the first portion 151comprises a contact element 154 and a fulcrum element 155. Furthermore,the second portion 152 of the spring clips 150 comprises a contactelement 156. The second portion 152 of the spring clips 150 comprisestwo legs that are oriented at approximately 115-125° relative to oneanother. The contact element 156 of the second portion 152 of the springclips 150 is the junction of the two legs.

The bias of the spring clips 150 presses the contact element 154 of thefirst portion 151 into surface contact with the inner wall 181 of thechannel 180. Specifically, when the first portion 151 of the springclips 150 is located within the channel 180, the fulcrum element 155 ofthe first portion 151 of the spring clips 150 is in surface contact withthe outer wall 182 of the channel 180 and the contact element 154 of thefirst portion 151 of the spring clips 150 is in surface contact with theinner wall 181 of the channel 180. A torque is generated about thefulcrum element 155, which forces the second portion 152 of the springclips 150 into contact with the rear surface 139 of the perimetricspacer 133. More specifically, the torque forces the contact element 156of the second portion 152 of the spring clips 150 into contact with therear surface 139 of the perimetric spacer 133. Each of the two legs ofthe second portion 152 of the spring clips 150 are spaced from the rearsurface 139 of the perimetric spacer 133 so that only the contactelement 156 is in contact with the rear surface 139 of the perimetricspacer 133. Thus, the contact portion 156 of the second portion 152 ofthe spring clips 150 is located in the rabbet 103. Furthermore, in theexemplified embodiment the spring clips 150 do not extend beyond theinner edge 111 of the flange portion 102 of the frame 100. In thismanner, the spring clips 150 are not visible to a viewer viewing the anitem displayed within the display opening 110 of the frame 100 of thefloat frame assembly 1000

The force generated by the compression of the second portion 152 of thespring clips 150 into contact with the rear surface 139 of theperimetric spacer 133 is sufficient to retain each of the perimetricspacer 133, the front and rear glazings 131, 132 and the framed item 112in place. Specifically, even if the float frame assembly 100 ispositioned so that the rear surface 108 of the body 101 of the frame 100is facing downwards towards the ground, gravity will not cause thespring clip 150 to release from the channel 180. The bias of the springclip 150 is sufficient to retain the first portion 151 of the springclip 150 in the channel 180 and the second portion 152 of the springclip against the rear surface 139 of the perimetric spacer 133 withsufficient force to maintain the assembly of the float frame assembly1000.

Depending on the thickness of the item 112 sandwiched between the firstand rear glazings 131, 132, the spring clips 150 will pivot about thefulcrum element 144. Thus, the spring clips 150 are able to adjust tothe thickness of the item 112 being framed so that the contact element156 of the second portion 152 of the spring clips 150 remain in surfacecontact with and compressed against the rear surface 139 of theperimetric spacer 133.

In the exemplified embodiment, the contact element 154 of the firstportion 151 of the spring clips 150 contacts the inner wall 181 of thechannel 180 at a height below a height of the rear surface 139 of theperimetric spacer 133. However, the invention is not to be so limitedand the height H_(S) of the perimetric spacer 133 can be changed and incertain embodiments the contact element 154 of the first portion 151 ofthe spring clips 150 can contact the inner wall 181 of the channel 180at a height above the height of the rear surface 139 of the perimetricspacer 133.

As mentioned above, the spring clips 150 comprise a middle portion 153that extends between the first and second portions 151, 152. In theexemplified embodiment, the middle portion 153 of the spring clips 150is a single leg that lies substantially parallel to the rear surface 108of the body portion 101 of the frame 100 when the spring clips 150 arepositioned within the channel 180 as discussed above. When the springclips 150 are positioned within the channel 180 as has been discussed indetail above, the middle portion 153 of the spring clips 150 extendsabove and spaced from the rear surface 105 of the body portion 101 ofthe frame 100. Thus, there is a gap 157 between the lower surface of themiddle portion 153 of the spring clips 150 and the rear surface 105 ofthe body portion 101 of the frame 100. The gap 157 facilitates enablingthe contact element 156 of the second portion 152 of the spring clips150 to contact the rear surface 139 of the perimetric spacer 133.

Utilizing the float frame assembly 1000 described herein above, an item112 can be sandwiched and maintained between the first and rear glazings131, 132 for display of the item 112. The frame 100 can have anyaesthetic appearance and characteristics as may be desired, such asbeing any color, wood grain, texture or the like. The pressure of thespring clips 150 against the perimetric spacer 133 maintains all of thecomponents of the stack 130 in position within the rabbet 103 so thatthe item 112 is tightly retained within the frame 100 and visiblethrough the display opening 110. The item 112 may appear as if it isfloating within the frame 100 in certain embodiments because the item112 may not extend all the way to the flange portion 102 of the frame100.

As noted above, when the item 112 positioned in the frame 100 betweenthe front and rear glazings 131, 132 is of a greater thickness, such asa sports jersey, the spacing between the front and rear glazings 131,132 will increase in order to accommodate the sports jersey. Thus, incertain embodiments, the spacing between the front and rear glazings131, 132 can be between 0-1 inch, in certain other embodiments thespacing between the front and rear glazings 131, 132 can be between0-0.5 inches, and in still other embodiments the spacing between thefront and rear glazings 131, 132 is between 0-0.19 inches.

As the item disposed between the front and rear glazings 131, 132increases in thickness and the space between the front and rear glazings131, 132 increases, the spring clips 150 are able to maintain pressureagainst the rear surface 139 of the perimetric spacer 133 due to theinherent bias of the spring clips 150. Moreover, as the spacing betweenthe front and rear glazings 131, 132 increases, the spring clips 150,due to their resiliency, will glide along the rear surface 139 of theperimetric spacer 133 while maintaining pressure on the perimetricspacer 133 to maintain the assembly of the frame 100. Thus, thestructural components of the present invention result in an adjustableor expandable frame that can accommodate items of varying thickness.

In certain embodiments, the item 112 to be framed is positionedcentrally between the front and rear glazings 131, 132 such that thereis a portion of the front and rear glazings 131, 132 that are locatedwithin the display opening 100, but is not covering or sandwiching theitem 112. In certain embodiments, the portion of the front and rearglazings 131, 132 that is located within the display opening 100, but isnot covering the item 112 is transparent or see-through. This gives theappearance that the item 112 is floating within the frame 100 in betweenthe front and rear glazings 131, 132.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, an alternative embodiment of a spring clip250 is illustrated. The spring clip 250 serves the same purpose as thespring clip 150 described above, except the spring clip 250 has aslightly different shape. Furthermore, the spring clip 250 has a firstportion 251, a second portion 252 and a middle portion 253. The shape,length and angles between the first, second and middle portions 251,252, 253 of the spring clip 250 facilitates holding the components ofthe stack 130 together within the rabbet 103 of the frame 100 by givingthe spring clip 250 an inherent bias. Specifically, the design of thespring clip 250 enables the spring clip 250 to apply a greater degree ofpressure onto the perimetric spacer 133 in order to ensure that theperimetric spacer 133 remains positioned against the front and rearglazings 131, 132. In the exemplified embodiment, the spring clip 250has a through-hole 258 that extends through the spring clip 250.However, the invention is not to be so limited and the through-hole 258may be omitted in other embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 7, the spring clip 250 has a width W₁ that is between0.2-0.5 inches, more preferably between 0.3-0.5 inches, and still morepreferably approximately 0.375 inches. Furthermore, the through-hole 258of the spring clip 250 has a diameter D, that is between 0.1-0.2 inches,and more preferably approximately 0.153 inches.

The dimensions (provided in inches) of the spring clip 250 according toone embodiment of the present invention are provided in FIG. 8. Ofcourse, the exact dimensions of the spring clip 250 can be differentthan that illustrated in FIG. 8, and can be within a range as will bediscussed in more detail below. Specifically, the size, dimensions andvarious angles of the spring clip 250 is dependent upon the width of thechannel within which the spring clip 250 is intended to be positioned.Therefore, the dimensions of the spring clip 250, although provided inFIG. 8, are not to be limiting of the present invention unless sospecified in the claims.

As discussed above, the spring clip 250 has a first portion 251, asecond portion 252 and a middle portion 253. The middle portion 253 ofthe spring clip 250 has a first section 261 and a second section 262.The first and second sections 261, 262 of the middle portion 253 of thespring clip 250 are oriented at an oblique angle relative to oneanother. In the exemplified embodiment, the first section and secondsections 261, 262 form a 155° angle. However, the invention is not to beso limited and the first and second sections 261, 262 can connect atbetween a 140-170° angle, or a 150-160° angle in other embodiments.Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the first section 261 of themiddle portion 253 forms an angle of 100° with the first portion 251 ofthe spring clip 250. However, the invention is not to be so limited inall embodiments and the angle between the first section 261 of themiddle portion 253 and the first portion 251 of the spring clip 250 canbe between 90-110°, or 95-105° in other embodiments.

The first portion 251 of the spring clip 250 has a terminal end 263. Thedistance between the point where the first section 261 of the middleportion 253 connects to the first portion 251 of the spring clip 250 andthe terminal end 263 of the spring clip 250 is illustrated as being0.095 inches. However, the invention is not to be so limited and thedistance between the point where the first section 261 of the middleportion 253 connects to the first portion 251 of the spring clip 250 andthe terminal end 263 of the spring clip 250 can be between 0.08 inchesand 0.095 inches. Furthermore, the distance between the terminal end 263of the first portion 251 of the spring clip 250 and the second section262 of the middle portion 253 of the spring clip 250 is illustrated asbeing 0.283 inches. However, the invention is not to be so limited andthe distance between the terminal end 263 of the first portion 251 ofthe spring clip 250 and the second section 262 of the middle portion 253of the spring clip 250 can be in a range of 0.2-0.3 inches, or morepreferably between 0.25-0.29 inches.

The spring clip 250 has a length illustrated as being 1.015 inches, butthe length can be in a range of 0.8-1.2 inches, or more preferably0.9-1.1 inches in other embodiments. Thus, although specific dimensionsare provided for the spring clip 250, it should be appreciated thatranges within plus or minus ten degrees of the provided angles, andranges within plus or minus ten percent of the provided lengths (all ofwhich are in inches) are also contemplated within the scope of theinvention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the spring clip 250 is illustrated coupled to theframe 100. The components of the frame 100 are the same as discussedabove with regard to FIGS. 1-5, and thus the same reference numeralswill be used to refer to the same components. However, each of thecomponents will not be re-described in the interest of brevity, with anunderstanding that the description of the frame 100 and its componentsprovided above applies equally to the illustration provided in FIG. 11.

When the spring clip 250 is used in place of the spring clip 150, thesame result is achieved in that the stack 130 is compressed within therabbet 103 by the spring clip 250 in order to retain the item 112 ondisplay within the display opening 110 of the frame 100. When the springclip 250 is used, the first portion 251 of the spring clip 250 islocated within the channel 180 and the second portion 252 of the springclip 250 is in surface contact with the rear surface 139 of theperimetric spacer 133. The first section 261 of the middle portion 253extends into the channel 180 while the second section 262 of the middleportion 253 of the spring clip 250 extends substantially parallel to therear surface 109 of the body 101 of the frame 100. As discussed above,the first section 261 of the middle portion 253 of the spring clip 250is oblique to the second section 262 of the middle portion 253 of thespring clip 250. The second section 262 of the middle portion 253 of thespring clip 250 is spaced from the rear surface 108 of the body portion101 of the frame 100. The first section 261 of the middle portion 253 ofthe spring clip 250 contacts an inner top edge 169 of the channel 180.

The first portion 251 of the spring clip 250 has a fulcrum element 255and a contact element 254. The contact element 254 is in contact withthe inner wall 181 of the channel 180 and the fulcrum element 255 is incontact with the outer wall 182 of the channel 180. The spring clip 250operates in much the same fashion as has been discussed above withregard to the spring clip 150. Specifically, the bias of the spring clip250 presses the contact element 254 of the first portion 251 intosurface contact with the inner wall 181 of the channel 180 by generatingtorque about the fulcrum element 255 while the fulcrum element 255 is insurface contact with the outer wall 182 of the channel 180. Thus, thespring clips 250 are configured so that the second portion 252 applies acompression force against the perimetric spacer 133 and the firstportion 251 is retained in the channel 180. The compression force on theperimetric spacer 133 in turn forces the perimetric spacer against therear glazing 132, which in turn is forced against the front glazing 131,which in turn contacts the rear surface 104 of the flange portion 102 ofthe frame 100. By having the perimetric spacer 133 be a continuouselement, or several elements that are spaced apart along the perimeterof the first and rear glazings 131, 132, and by locating several of thespring clips 250 onto the frame 100, the item 112 and the stack 130 aremaintained in their positions within the rabbet 103 so that the item 112is displayed via the display opening 110 of the frame 100.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural andfunctional modifications may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the inventionshould be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A float frame assembly comprising: a frame comprising a body portion and a flange portion extending from the body portion to form a rabbet, the flange portion comprising an inner edge defining a display opening, the flange portion comprising a floor surface of the rabbet and the body portion comprising a wall surface of the rabbet; a channel formed in a rear surface of the body portion; a stack nesting in the rabbet, the stack comprising: a front glazing; a rear glazing positioned adjacent the front glazing such that an item can be supported between the front glazing and the rear glazing in the display opening; and a perimetric spacer positioned adjacent the rear glazing; and a plurality of spring clips that retain the stack within the rabbet, each of the plurality of spring clips comprising a first portion disposed in the channel and a second portion that is in surface contact with the perimetric spacer, each of the plurality of spring clips biased so that the second portion applies a compression force against the perimetric spacer and the first portion is retained in the channel.
 2. The float frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first and rear glazings are substantially transparent.
 3. The float frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein an inner edge of the perimetric spacer does not extend beyond the inner edge of the flange portion of the frame.
 4. The float frame assembly according to claim 3 wherein the inner edge of the perimetric spacer is offset from the inner edge of the flange portion of the frame.
 5. The float frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein the perimetric spacer has a width and a height, the width being greater than the height.
 6. The float frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein the stack comprises a see-through portion surrounding the item, the see-through portion located within the display opening.
 7. The float frame assembly according to claims 1 wherein the frame further comprises a rim protruding from the rear surface of the body portion.
 8. The float frame assembly according to claim 7 wherein the rim surrounds the channel and has an outer surface that is substantially flush with an outer surface of the body portion.
 9. The float frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein, for each of the plurality of spring clips, the first portion comprises a contact element and a fulcrum element, and wherein the bias presses the contact element of the first portion into surface contact with an inner wall of the channel by generating torque about the fulcrum element, the fulcrum element in surface contact with an outer wall of the channel.
 10. The float frame assembly according to claim 9 wherein the contact element of the first portion contacts the inner wall of the channel at a height below a height of a rear surface of the perimetric spacer.
 11. The float frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein, for each of the plurality of spring clips, the second portion comprises a contact element that is located in the rabbet.
 12. The float frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of spring clips comprises a middle portion between the first portion and the second portion, the middle portion extending above and spaced from the rear surface of the body portion.
 13. The float frame assembly according to claim 12 wherein the middle portion contacts an inner top edge of the channel.
 14. The float frame assembly according to claim 12 wherein the middle portion comprises a first section that extends into the channel and a second section that extends substantially parallel to the rear surface, the first section oblique to the second section.
 15. The float frame assembly according to claim 12 wherein the middle portion comprises a through-hole.
 16. The float frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rear surface of the body portion and the floor surface of the rabbet are substantially parallel.
 17. The float frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of spring clips do not extend beyond the inner edge of the flange portion of the frame.
 18. A float frame assembly comprising: a frame comprising a rabbet and an inner edge defining a display opening; a channel formed in a rear surface of the frame; a stack nesting in the rabbet, the stack comprising: a front glazing; a rear glazing positioned adjacent the front glazing such that an item can be supported between the front glazing and the rear glazing in the display opening; and a spacer positioned adjacent the rear glazing; a plurality of spring clips that retain the stack within the rabbet, each of the plurality of spring clips comprising: a first portion disposed in the channel, the first portion comprising a contact element and a fulcrum element; and a second portion comprising a contact element; and wherein each of the plurality of spring clips is biased so that the contact element of the first portion is pressed into surface contact with an inner wall of the channel due to a torque being generated about the fulcrum element as a result of the contact element of the second portion pressing against the spacer, the fulcrum element in surface contact with an outer wall of the channel.
 19. The float frame assembly according to claim 18 wherein an inner edge of the spacer does not extend beyond the inner edge of frame.
 20. The float frame assembly according to claim 18 wherein the spacer has a width and a height, the width being greater than the height.
 21. The float frame assembly according to claim 18 wherein the frame further comprises a rim protruding from the rear surface of the frame, the rim surrounding the channel and having an outer surface that is substantially flush with an outer surface of the frame.
 22. The float frame assembly according to claim 18 wherein the contact element of the first portion contacts the inner wall of the channel at a height below a height of a rear surface of the spacer.
 23. The float frame assembly according to claim 18 wherein, for each of the plurality of spring clips, the second portion comprises a contact element that is located in the rabbet; and wherein each of the plurality of spring clips comprises a middle portion between the first portion and the second portion, the middle portion extending above and spaced from the rear surface of the frame.
 24. A float frame assembly comprising: a frame comprising a rabbet and an inner edge defining a display opening; a channel formed in a rear surface of the frame; a stack nesting in the rabbet, the stack comprising: a front glazing; a rear glazing positioned adjacent the front glazing such that an item can be supported between the front glazing and the rear glazing in the display opening; and a perimetric spacer positioned adjacent the rear glazing; and a plurality of spring clips that retain the stack within the rabbet, each of the plurality of spring clips comprising a first portion disposed in the channel and a second portion that is in surface contact with the perimetric spacer, each of the plurality of spring clips biased so that the second portion applies a compression force against the perimetric spacer and the first portion is retained in the channel. 